Clock strikes midnight on the Pirates

The clock struck midnight on Cinderella in the Big East Tournament semifinals as Seton Hall fell to Providence 80-74. Fuquan Edwin’s 20 points were not enough as the Hall finishes the campaign with a 17-17 record. Links, thoughts and quotes:

Sometimes individuals win games. LaDontae Henton won this game for Providence. The Pirates focused so hard on containing Providence’s 1-2 punch of Bryce Cotton (5 of 14) and Kadeem Batts (8 points) that Henton ran wild. He posted 26 points and 14 rebounds, shot 9 of 13, and repeatedly plunged the dagger into the Pirates’ side. Great job by him.

No one wants to admit it, but three games in three days showed. With Kevin Willard relying mostly on seven guys, plus backup center Aaron Geramipoor in spot duty, some wear-down was inevitable. It showed up in the close-outs (Providence shot 9-19 from 3) and rebounding (Providence plus-6). The Pirates played hard, but seemed a half-step slower as the game went on.

Fuquan Edwin and Eugene Teague went out on their shields. Edwin’s bruised thumb on his shooting hand bothered far more than he wanted to admit. When he was asked about it in the postgame presser, Fu was about to downplay it when Willard cut in and basically said, ‘Let me answer that—it was hurting him pretty bad.” Yet he scraped together 20 points. Teague battled foul trouble (the Hall did not get a very good whistle), yet posted 11 points and six boards in 19 minutes. Over three Big East Tournament games, the Big Fella averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds and shot 18 of 26 from the field. He should be the Hall’s first All-Tournament selection since Eddie Griffin in 2001. The program will really miss Teague because he is a rarity in major college basketball today, where seemingly everyone is auditioning for the next level—a player who knows what he is (a back-to-the-basket 5) and embraces it.

Thanks guys, it was a blast. October is a long way away, so it’s hard to say how much these three days will carry over to next season. But a boatload of positive national publicity never hurt any program, and certainly the Hall’s spirited finish put a positive capstone on a mostly frustrating 17-17 season. Everyone in Pirate blue should feel good about themselves right now.

I hate to write this because the true believers read this blog, but it was not a great showing for the faithful. There were more Providence fans there than Seton Hall fans, and only after the Creighton supporters arrived in droves midway through the first half did the crowd start backing the underdog Pirates. Creighton fans saved the semifinals, as MSG reached about four-fifths capacity (16,000) and when the Bluejays tipped against Xavier it sounded like Omaha in there.

FIVE QUOTES

Kevin Willard on his seniors: “These guys, unfortunately, their win‑loss record hasn’t been phenomenal, but over the last two years, they’ve provided a solid foundation for us to build on the future. It’s hard‑‑ young guys don’t‑‑ can’t see what they’ve helped build, but these guys have really, through their hard work, grades, everything, helping recruiting…These guys have been instrumental in helping us go from a very unstable situation to a pretty stable situation.”

Willard on this being the first group of players to go the distance with him: “These guys, Eugene and Brian, have been here for three years. Fuquan’s been here for four. Aaron’s been here for four. So it’s a little different feeling for me because I have a little different connection with these guys. Not that I don’t have a good connection with the other guys. But when you spend time and you see these guys grow, not only as players but as men, it’s a little different feeling. I can’t explain the feeling. I don’t know if it’s a proud feeling, a sad feeling. It’s just a much different feeling than when you take over a program.”

Fuquan Edwin: “I know we didn’t get to the (NCAA) tournament, but I think we set the program exactly to where it needs to be, coming off a good ride and finishing strong. The younger guys and the (recruits) who are coming in next year will continue that.”

Eugene Teague: “I think we definitely set a tone—never give up. We never gave up. I’ll never be disappointed in what we did because we gave it all we had.”

Providence coach Ed Cooley on his short rotation in this three-day format: “You can’t be tired when you’re playing for a championship. You can be tired at the end of the season when you’re on vacation.”

About Jerry Carino

Jerry Carino has covered sports for the Gannett New Jersey newspapers since 1996 and has been on the college basketball beat since 2003. A native of Old Bridge, he also teaches journalism at Kean University.

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Since its launch in 2006, Hoops Haven has become a staple of the New Jersey basketball community. This is the place to find breaking news, analysis and links about college and high school basketball in the Garden State.

About the Author

Jerry Carino has covered sports for the Gannett New Jersey newspapers since 1996 and has been on the college basketball beat since 2003. A native of Old Bridge, he also teaches journalism at Kean University.Email Jerry.